Cymbidium bicolor
This species has 3 distinct subspecies, bicolor, pubescens and obtusum. It again has pendulous racemes which grow as the flower opens. It has very thick rigid leaves typical of this species. The flower scape is 10-72 cm long with between 5 and 26, 2.5-4.5cm lightly fruit scented flowers.
Culture
We grow and flower this plant in Melbourne in a heated glasshouse with a minimum of 12 C. Under these conditions we find it easy to grow and flower. It flowers between January and March for us.
Habitat
In the forks and hollows of large branches and tree trunks, usually in the open forest in partial shade provided by the leaf canopy.
Distribution
Sri Lanka, India, S China, Indo-China, W Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sabah, Celebes, Philippines. 0 - 1500m.
subspecies bicolor
Sri Lanka, S India
subspecies obtusum
Nepal, N India, Bhutan, S W China, Burma, Indo-China
subspecies pubescens
W Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, Philippines
Synonyms and other names.
C. alifolium sensu
subspecies obtusum
C. crassifolium, C. mannii, C. pendulum sensu, C. flaccidum, C. bicolor sensu
subspecies pubescens
C. alifolium sensu, C. pubescens, C. alifolium var. pubescens, C. celebicum
Primary Hybrids
bicolor x aloifolium = Burma Star
bicolor x ensifolium = Yin-Chee
ensifolium x bicolor = Summer Aroma
madidum x bicolor = Jim Duffin
tracyanum x bicolor = Larry Bussell
